We cannot sustain the level we want - Iraola warns over squad depth
Andoni Iraola admitted Liverpool are struggling to maintain their performance levels throughout matches after throwing away a two-goal lead against Monaco.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Liverpool blew a two-goal lead in their pre-season friendly against Monaco at Anfield.
- Andoni Iraola highlighted squad depth issues as fatigue set in following substitutions.
- Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet provide defensive reinforcement options.
Liverpool fans lined the streets outside Anfield to welcome Andoni Iraola and his squad for his first home match in charge, creating a palpable sense of excitement for a sell-out crowd against Monaco as a new era under the manager began.
However, for the second match in a row, Iraola's side threw away a two-goal lead following a string of substitutions, exposing underlying concerns regarding the club's quality squad depth.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Reflecting on the performance after the final whistle, Iraola spoke candidly about the team's current limitations to LFC TV.
"We played a good first half, especially a good 30 minutes. Right now we probably don't have much more, in terms of the levels required to play like this. They deserved to turn around the game."
Iraola has two pre-season games remaining, featuring a double-header against Como on 16 August, before their Premier League campaign kicks off in two weeks away at Newcastle, where questions remain over who will partner Virgil van Dijk at centre-back.
This pre-season period marks a critical transitional phase for Liverpool under Iraola, requiring careful management of player fitness and the integration of expensive marquee signings like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. The club's substantial investments of £225 million in these stars underscore the high expectations for the upcoming campaign, even as squad depth issues are being ironed out.
Reinforcements are on the way, with 27-year-old Ronald Araujo undergoing a medical for a season-long loan from Barcelona featuring a £47.2m purchase option, while 21-year-old Jeremy Jacquet continues his recovery from injury following his arrival from Rennes.
Source: BBC Sport
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